Fresh start: How the riverfront suburb of Bulimba is being reimagined as an elite enclave

The Brisbane riverside suburb of Bulimba has a long history of shipbuilding, producing everything from ferries to police vessels, pilot boats and racing yachts.

With such strong demand for waterfront land close to the city, it was only a matter of time before the land was rezoned for residential use.

Now a former shipyard offices site is about to be transformed into luxury homes with stunning views, a northerly aspect and riverfront access.

ONE Bulimba Riverfront from developer Velocity Property Group offers 18 three-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom penthouses and six four-bedroom town homes.

There’s a ferry wharf at the end of the street, with services to the city taking about 40 minutes. Oxford Street’s shops and cafes are 15 minutes away by foot and there are also plans to redevelop nearby Bulimba Barracks.

Architect Elizabeth Anderson, director of Hayes Anderson Lynch, the firm behind the design, says the interiors embrace Mediterranean minimalism, using a coastal colour palette to create living spaces of understated elegance.

“Inside the apartments and town homes, the textures and sculptural forms take their cues from coastal formations, including the weather-carved cliffs and the soft curves flowing down to the coastal edge,” Anderson says.

“Natural, textural finishes, such as Elba marble and Italian porcelain, are selected for their authenticity and easy upkeep.”

• Related: Yet-to-be-built apartment sets record
• Related: What could happen to unit prices
• Related: Demographic of elite downsizers grows

As well as three bedrooms, apartments and penthouses offer a media or multipurpose room, three bathrooms, generous storage and wide, flowing layouts.

Ground-floor apartments have terraces and gardens on the same level as the residences, dropping down to the river level outside private entry gates. A riverfront promenade will be built, providing public access to a previously off-limits stretch of land.

The town homes are split over three levels and have an internal lift and two private car spaces. One of the four bedrooms is on the ground floor, with private access from the street, enabling it to be used as an office or guest area.

Solar panels and inverters are included in the penthouses and town homes. The penthouses also have Tesla power walls. Apartment buyers can upgrade to solar power and power walls.

The communal areas feature a heated lap pool with river views. Council is considering an application for an eight-berth marina.

The managing director of Velocity Property Group, Brendon Ansell, has lived in Bulimba for nearly two decades and set a high bar for this project. “We have spent a lot of time on the design and finishes,” he says.